General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fifi Fiavi Kwetey disclosed on Tuesday that although the investigative committee established to examine alleged vote buying and inappropriate conduct in the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary recommended nullification of the election, constitutional and time constraints made it impossible to overturn the results.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, February 10, Kwetey stated that the committee’s report indicated ideally the party should have annulment of the primary. However, the committee acknowledged real obstacles that made it difficult to implement that recommendation, citing constitutional limitations and tight electoral timelines.
The General Secretary explained that the party faced a critical deadline as the Electoral Commission (EC) scheduled nominations for the Ayawaso East by election to close on Wednesday, February 11, leaving insufficient time to conduct a fresh primary. He stated that the party is time bound because it needed to present a candidate to the EC on February 11, and potential legal challenges could be mounted by whoever won.
Kwetey further disclosed that the party’s constitution does not provide for annulment of parliamentary primaries under such circumstances, leaving leadership without clear constitutional authority to overturn the results despite concerns about the conduct of the election. He stated that the combination of time pressures, constitutional limitations and potential legal challenges led the party to retain Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed as its candidate.
The three member investigative committee was led by veteran politician Kofi Totobi Quakyi, former Minister of Information. The committee found evidence of inappropriate conduct involving all candidates competing in the primary, not solely Baba Jamal, according to the General Secretary.
Kwetey announced that the NDC plans to expand the investigative committee from three to seven members as part of broader internal reforms aimed at strengthening party processes. He stated the party will conduct a comprehensive review of the whole process that led to internal elections, adding four more members to make it a seven member committee so they can come out with recommendations to deal with this inappropriate canker as far as elections are concerned.
The Ayawaso East parliamentary primary held on Saturday, February 7, attracted national attention after reports emerged that some candidates distributed items including 32 inch television sets, motorbikes, boiled eggs, ice chests, sanitary pads and cash to delegates during the exercise. Baba Jamal won with 431 votes, defeating Hajia Amina Adam who received 399 votes, constituency chairman Mohammed Ramneand with 88 votes, Dr Yakubu Azimdow with 45 votes and Najib Sani with one vote.
President John Dramani Mahama ordered the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria on Sunday, February 8, following the vote buying allegations. The recall occurred one day after the primary, signaling presidential concern about the reports.
The NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament issued a statement on Sunday, February 8, signed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, condemning the alleged acts as contrary to the party’s stated agenda to reset Ghana’s politics and restore integrity to the democratic process. The caucus demanded immediate cancellation of the primary and disqualification of any candidate found to have engaged in vote buying.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) released Baba Jamal on self recognizance bail on Tuesday, February 10, after charging him with corruption, assault and obstruction of OSP officers. The charges stem from investigations into alleged vote buying incidents during the February 7 primary.
The OSP revealed in a public notice issued on Saturday, February 8, that its officer conducting real time investigations into alleged vote buying and selling in Ayawaso East Constituency was attacked by thugs acting on instructions of Baba Jamal during the primary. The officer was serving an investigative directive on the candidate when the incident occurred.
Baba Jamal has vehemently denied allegations of vote buying, insisting he did not engage in any form of inducement during the primary. He filed his nomination with the Electoral Commission on Wednesday, February 11, to contest the Ayawaso East by election scheduled for March 3, 2026.
The seat became vacant following the death of former Member of Parliament Naser Toure Mahama on January 4, 2026. Hajia Amina Adam, widow of the late MP, came second in the primary with 399 votes but has not publicly contested the results or demanded a rerun.
The decision to maintain Baba Jamal sparked divided reactions within the party and broader public. Critics including former NDC parliamentary aspirant Haruna Mohammed described the investigative process as meaningless and argued the party has become a clearing agent for vote buying.
Transparency International Ghana demanded harsh and punitive sanctions for vote buying, calling on political parties to demonstrate zero tolerance for electoral malpractice that undermines democratic processes. Consumer advocate Kofi Kapito questioned why candidates would feed people for votes, describing the practice as part of broader cultural issues hindering progress.
However, some party officials defended the decision as pragmatic given constitutional constraints and electoral realities. Former Deputy Attorney General Anthony Nukpenu argued that NDC MPs had no right to demand annulment, suggesting the caucus statement exceeded their constitutional authority within party structures.
The Council of Zongo Chiefs in Ayawaso East Constituency warned NDC leadership against annulling the primaries, stating such a move could trigger tension within the constituency. Vice Chairman Sarki Tanko Amadu questioned what would happen if the party cancelled the election given that Nima was already united.
The controversy highlighted ongoing challenges around monetization of internal party elections across Ghana’s political landscape. Both major parties have faced allegations of vote buying during primaries, though enforcement and penalties remain inconsistent.
The NDC’s decision reflects tensions between aspirations for clean internal democracy and practical constraints imposed by electoral timelines, constitutional provisions and legal considerations. The expanded seven member committee represents the party’s attempt to address systemic issues while acknowledging immediate limitations prevented the ideal outcome of annulment.
